El Mangal Group

Forty-eight-year-old Francisca is a mother of four and a grandmother of six. Her husband is employed on a banana farm. Their four children, who range in age from thirteen to twenty-eight, attended elementary school. Francisca shares that she struggled in school and only reached the second grade. Two and one-half years ago, she opened her business offering regional snack foo, ands and tamales. She sells daily every morning and afternoon, and her youngest son helps her with the business. Francisca's goal is to attract new customers, expand the business, and earn more income. She is requesting her first Kiva loan to buy kitchenware, sugar, chocolate, ingredients, and firewood.

Francisca was elected President of the Friendship Bridge Trust Bank, “El Mangal” by seven Spanish-speaking women in the department/state of Suchitepequez. These ladies sell corn, tortillas, regional snacks, and beverages. They meet monthly, make loan payments, and participate in an educational training, part of the “Microcredit Plus” program of loans, monthly educational training (business, health, family, women), and bi-monthly health care services. A recent topic for the training was about the risks of loaning one’s name to another person’s business. Other topics are about health, nutrition, hygiene, family matters, and women’s issues. Every other month, they have access to health care services, including exams, consults, and family planning.

They thank the Kiva lenders for lending a helping hand.

In this group: Eulalia Lorenzo , Francisca , Candelaria Elizabeth , Rosa , Zoila Maribel , Amalia , Glendy Eulalia , Claudia Marilis